Lifting device for visual

ABSTRACT

Two adjustable display-supporting bars, which are attached to the front of the elevating apparatus, support visual display such as plasma television. An elevating mechanism elevates or lowers two supporting bars with attached display, with use of motor. The motor rotates one or two vertical threaded rods.  
     The most important and innovative part of this design is a system of three sliding frames, comprising slides, panels and bars, which allow two frames to move independently inside of the third one.  
     In two rods design, the motor rotates pair of vertical threaded rods at the same rate, through the set of two sprockets/pulleys and single chain/belt, where first sprocket/pulley is attached to one end of double shaft gear motor, and second sprocket/pulley is attached directly to the second rod. Two sprockets/pulleys are connected with chain/belt to rotate rods in synchrony. There are two threaded nuts on the rods, which are attached to the “Sliding Inner Frame”. “Sliding Inner Frame” comprises metal panel, four inner slide members, horizontal sprockets/pulleys-mounting bar and horizontal bar with threaded nuts. Threaded nuts are mounted on threaded rods and attached to horizontal bar. Synchronous rotation of the threaded rods causes threaded nuts and “Sliding Inner Frame” with it to rise and fall under control of the motor.  
     An additional lifting mechanism comprising two sprockets/pulleys and two chains/belts causes “Sliding Outer Frame” with display-supporting bars to elevate to a height far above the height of the retracted apparatus for concealment in shorter cabinet.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This device is intended for lifting and lowering any visual displays, such as television sets, video monitors, art pieces, and the like. It was developed with a view to accommodate the new flat plasma displays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The development of television technology has been very progressive, with television sets becoming very large and thin. The most recent aspect of this technology is thin, flat plasma TV display. Since it is preferable to hide it when not in use, there is a developing market for the lifting device, which would provide the best method of enclosing such plasma display within any type of cabinet, and of elevating it above such cabinet. The existing prior art devices seem somewhat unsightly, either esthetically or in their practical application. It is desirable to provide a new lift device, which is compact, light, efficient, stable and safe.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The object of this invention is to provide a simple, practical and safe design, which can be utilized to work with different types and sizes of plasma displays. Another important ability of this device is to over-extend. All of this has been achieved through the invention of unique and original sliding frame within a frame construction, where two frames are sliding independently inside or outside the third fixed frame.

[0004] The lift is designed to be very light and compact. It is possible to make it as thin as 1¾″ for lower weight visual displays and 2¼″ thick for heavy weight visual displays. Plasma TV or visual display is mounted to the lift by means of two horizontally placed display-supporting bars. Mounting height of the bars is adjustable. Lifting device itself is mounted along its full height, to the provided back panel (¾″ Veneer Core Plywood), which replaces original furniture back. This is required because in most of cases back of the furniture is made out of ¼″ thick MDF or Flake Board which doesn't provide enough stability to support the weight of lift and the display.

[0005] One major benefit of this construction is the achievement of horizontal and vertical stability, which was lacking in the prior art design. The stability is achieved through the ability of mounting the lift directly to the vertical surfaces along its full height. In comparison, design patented as U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,150 has a very heavy construction and does not provide any possible way of mounting along the height of the unit. Since the prior art lift can be attached at its base only, it lacks vertical stability and therefore it is unlikely to be used as Plasma TV Lift.

[0006] In addition, the applicant's invention is highly efficient. It uses small dimensions 24VDC right angle gear motor, which is hidden inside the lift's enclosure. High efficiency is achieved with use of ball bearing slides and Teflon based, lead screw nuts. Lifting action is provided with combination of ¾″ lead screws, chains or belts and pulleys or roller chain sprockets.

[0007] In the applicant's invention all working parts are fully housed inside the lift's enclosure and not accessible by user. Outside of its casing the lift doesn't have any horizontally placed parts, which could create a cutting action. These facts dramatically decrease any chances of injury by potential home user or child, while the lift is in action. All those features make this design a much safer construction than its predecessors, which did not offer any way of enclosing all working parts.

[0008] The only similarity between the previous patented design U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,150 B1 and this invention is the use of lead screw and chain mechanism for overextending action. However, such mechanism has been previously used in commercial forklifts, and is commonly known.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is crosscut view of single screw version; describing sliding frames idea in different colors.

[0010]FIG. 2 includes crosscut view and front elevation cut view of single screw version in lowered condition, with display-supporting bars, and attached to mounting panel.

[0011]FIG. 3 is front elevation cut view, of single screw version, in elevated condition.

[0012]FIG. 4 is front elevation cut view, of two screws version, in elevated condition.

[0013]FIG. 5 is front elevation cut view, of modified lift in lowered condition, for ceiling or wall installation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Referring now to the drawing FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 an elevating apparatus 1 of the invention includes:

[0015] Pair of lift-mounting brackets 2 mounted to mounting panel 3, pair of outer slide members 4 attached to the lift mounting brackets 2, ball bearings 5, horizontal motor-mount bar 6 attached to lift-mounting brackets 2, single shaft right angle gear motor 7 mounted to motor-mount bar 6, single vertical threaded rod 8 mounted to the shaft of gear motor, two pairs of inner slide members 9 attached to back panel 10, horizontal bar 11 attached to back panel 10, single threaded nut 12 mounted on vertical threaded rod 8 and attached to the horizontal bar 11, sprockets/pulleys-bar 13 attached to back panel 10, pair of sprockets/pulleys 14 attached to sprockets/pulleys-bar 13 and back panel 10, pair of chains/belts 15 mounted on sprockets/pulleys 14 where each is attached to motor-mount bar 6 at one end and to horizontal bar 19 at the other end, front panel 16, pair of outer slide members 17 attached to front panel 16, ball bearings 18, horizontal bar 19 attached to front panel 16, two display-supporting bars 20 mounted to front panel 16.

[0016] Single shaft gear motor 7 rotates vertical threaded rod 8. There is single threaded nut 12 on the rod 8, which is attached to the “Sliding Inner Frame”. “Sliding Inner Frame” comprises back panel 10, four inner slide members 9, horizontal bar 11, sprockets/pulleys-bar 13 and threaded nut 12. Threaded nut is mounted on threaded rod 8 and attached to horizontal bar 11. Rotation of the threaded rod 8 causes threaded nut 12 and “Sliding Inner Frame” with it to rise and fall under control of the motor 7.

[0017] An additional lifting mechanism comprising two sprockets/pulleys 14 and two chains/belts 15 causes “Sliding Outer Frame” with display-supporting bars 20 to elevate or lower to a height far above the height of the retracted apparatus for concealment in shorter cabinet. “Sliding Outer Frame” comprises front panel 16, two outer slide members 17 and horizontal bar 19.

[0018] Referring now to the drawing FIG. 4 an elevating apparatus 1 a of the invention includes: Pair of lift-mounting brackets 2 mounted to mounting panel 3, pair of outer slide members 4 attached to the lift mounting brackets 2, ball bearings 5, horizontal motor-mount bar 6 attached to lift-mounting brackets 2, double shaft-right angle gear motor 7 a mounted to motor-mount bar 6, vertical threaded rod 8 mounted to one end of double shaft gear motor, vertical threaded rod 8 a mounted inside motor-mount bar 6, two pairs of inner slide members 9 attached to back panel 10, horizontal bar 11 attached to back panel 10, pair of threaded nuts 12 a mounted on vertical threaded rods 8, 8 a and attached to the horizontal bar 11, sprockets/pulleys-bar 13 attached to back panel 10, pair of sprockets/pulleys 14 attached to sprockets/pulleys-bar 13 and back panel 10, pair of chains/belts 15 mounted on sprockets/pulleys 14 where each is attached to motor-mount bar 6 at one end and to horizontal bar 19 at the other end, front panel 16, pair of outer slide members 17 attached to front panel 16, ball bearings 18, horizontal bar 19 attached to front panel 16, pair of display-supporting bars 20 mounted to front panel 16, pair of sprockets 21 where one is attached to the shaft of double shaft motor 7 a and other is attached to vertical threaded rod 8 a, chain 22 connecting pair of sprockets 21.

[0019] Double shaft gear motor 7 a rotates pair of vertical threaded rods 8, 8 a at the same rate, through the set of two sprockets 21 and connecting chain 22, where first sprocket is attached to one end of double shaft gear motor 7 a, and second sprocket is attached directly to the second threaded rod 8 a. Two sprockets are connected with chain 22 to rotate rods in synchrony. There are two threaded nuts 12 a on the rods 8,8 a, and are attached to the “Sliding Inner Frame”. “Sliding Inner Frame” comprises back panel 10, four inner slide members 9, horizontal bar 11, sprockets/pulleys-bar 13 and two threaded nuts 12 a. Threaded nuts 12 a are mounted on threaded rods 8, 8 a and attached to horizontal bar 11. Synchronous rotation of the threaded rods 8, 8 a causes threaded nuts 12 a and “Sliding Inner Frame” with it to rise and fall under control of the motor 7 a.

[0020] An additional lifting mechanism comprising two sprockets/pulleys 14 and two chains/belts 15 causes “Sliding Outer Frame” with display-supporting bars 20 to elevate or lower to a height far above the height of the retracted apparatus for concealment in shorter cabinet. “Sliding Outer Frame” comprises front panel 16, two outer slide members 17 and horizontal bar 19.

[0021] Referring now to the drawing FIG. 5 an elevating apparatus 1 b of the invention includes: Pair of lift-mounting brackets 2 mounted to mounting panel 3, pair of outer slide members 4 attached to the lift mounting brackets 2, ball bearings 5, horizontal motor-mount bar 6 attached to lift-mounting brackets 2, double shaft-right angle gear motor 7 a mounted to motor-mount bar 6, vertical threaded rod 8 mounted to one end of double shaft gear motor, vertical threaded rod 8 a mounted inside motor-mount bar 6, two pairs of slide members 9 attached to back panel 10, horizontal bar 11 attached to back panel 10, pair of threaded nuts 12 a mounted on vertical threaded rods 8, 8 a and attached to the horizontal bar 11, pair of sprockets/pulleys 14 attached to front panel 16 and, pair of chains/belts 15 mounted on sprockets/pulleys 14 where each is attached to motor-mount bar 6 at one end and to horizontal bar 11 at the other end, front panel 16, pair of outer slide members 17 attached to front panel 16, ball bearings 18, horizontal bar 19 attached to front panel 16, pair of display-supporting bars 20 mounted to front panel 16, pair of sprockets 21 where one is attached to the shaft of double shaft motor 7 a and other is attached to vertical threaded rod 8 a, chain 22 connecting pair of sprockets 21.

[0022] Double shaft gear motor 7 a rotates pair of vertical threaded rods 8, 8 a at the same rate, through the set of two sprockets 21 and connecting chain 22, where first sprocket is attached to one end of double shaft gear motor 7 a, and second sprocket is attached directly to the second threaded rod 8 a. Two sprockets are connected with chain 22 to rotate rods in synchrony. There are two threaded nuts 12 a on the rods 8,8 a, which are attached to the “Sliding Inner Frame”. “Sliding Inner Frame” comprises back panel 10, four inner slide members 9, horizontal bar 11 and two threaded nuts 12 a. Threaded nuts are mounted on threaded rods 8, 8 a and attached to horizontal bar 11. Synchronous rotation of the threaded rods causes threaded nuts 12 a and “Sliding Inner Frame” with it to rise and fall under control of the motor 7 a.

[0023] An additional lifting mechanism comprising two sprockets/pulleys 14 and two chains/belts 15 causes “Sliding Outer Frame” with display-supporting bars 20 to elevate or lower to a height far above the height of the retracted apparatus for concealment in shorter cabinet. “Sliding Outer Frame” comprises front panel 16, two outer slide members 17 and horizontal bar 19.

[0024] Most important part of this design is frame within a frame design, which I have described as a system of three frames, where two frames slide independently inside of the third one. Moreover, for vertical guides, combination of ball bearing slides with open track is used. This frame within a frame construction with use of open truck slides provides the only known means to allow over-extending lift to be attached along its full height.

[0025] Example device employs standard industrial, rolled coil steel, ball bearing slide, in open truck design. However, it must be understood that any type of slide or vertical guide with open track design, which provides ability for creation of frame within frame construction, could be used. The arrangement or the description of those frames or slides may be changed. Therefore, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention.

[0026] In addition, if used in pairs with platform attached in between, it could lower large dimensional objects such as video projectors and regular TV sets. 

1. An elevating apparatus for visual displays, which is movable in height through the action of motor, so as to elevate the display to a desired height for its use, as well to lower the same to a position where the display may be concealed when not in use, the improvement comprising: a. A “Mounting Frame” comprising two lift-mounting brackets, two outer slide members, ball bearings and horizontal motor-mount bar. b. A “Sliding Inner Frame” comprising back panel, four inner slide members, ball bearings and horizontal bar with one threaded nut attached to it. c. “Sliding Outer Frame” comprising front panel, two outer slide members and horizontal bar attached at the bottom of the frame. d. A gear motor mounted under the motor mount bar, which is a part of Mounting Frame. e. An elongate vertical threaded rod mounted inside motor-mount bar and attached to the motor's shaft. f. Additional elevating mechanism comprising two sprockets or pulleys each attached to Sliding Inner Frame, two chains or belts each connected to Mounting Frame at one end and Sliding Outer Frame at the other end. This mechanism allows Sliding Outer Frame with horizontal display-supporting bars to move vertically at the greater rate than Sliding Inner Frame, therefore allowing Sliding Outer Frame to extend above the threaded rods. g. Two horizontal display-supporting bars mounted to the front panel of Sliding Outer Frame and adjustable in height. h. A mounting panel made of any kind of stiff material, to which the elevating apparatus is attached and which either replaces original furniture back or is attached to any side of the cabinet.
 2. An elevating apparatus for visual displays, which is movable in height through the action of motor, so as to elevate the display to a desired height for its use, as well to lower the same to a position where the display may be concealed when not in use, the improvement comprising: a. A “Mounting Frame” comprising two lift-mounting brackets, two outer slide members, ball bearings and horizontal motor-mount bar. b. A “Sliding Inner Frame” comprising back panel, four inner slide members, ball bearings and horizontal bar with two threaded nuts attached to it. c. “Sliding Outer Frame” comprising front panel, two outer slide members and horizontal bar attached at the bottom of the frame. d. A double shaft gear motor mounted under the motor mount bar, which is a part of Mounting Frame. e. Two elongate vertical threaded rods mounted inside motor-mount, where one is attached to the gear motor's shaft. f. Two sprockets connected with chain, where one is attached to any vertical threaded rod and the other to the double shaft motor g. Additional elevating mechanism comprising two sprockets or pulleys each attached to Sliding Inner Frame, two chains or belts each connected to Mounting Frame at one end and Sliding Outer Frame at the other end. This mechanism allows Sliding Outer Frame with horizontal display-supporting bars to move vertically at the greater rate than Sliding Inner Frame, therefore allowing Sliding Outer Frame to extend above the threaded rods. h. Two horizontal display-supporting bars mounted to the front panel of Sliding Outer Frame and adjustable in height. i. A mounting panel made of any kind of stiff material, to which the elevating apparatus is attached and which either replaces original furniture back or is attached to any side of the cabinet.
 3. An elevating apparatus for visual displays, which is movable in height through the action of motor, so as to elevate the display to a desired height for its use, as well to lower the same to a position where the display may be concealed when not in use, the improvement comprising: a. A “Mounting Frame” comprising two lift-mounting brackets, two outer slide members, ball bearings and horizontal motor-mount bar. b. A “Sliding Inner Frame” comprising back panel, four inner slide members, ball bearings and horizontal bar with two threaded nuts attached to it. c. “Sliding Outer Frame” comprising front panel, two outer slide members and horizontal bar attached at the bottom of the frame. d. A double shaft gear motor mounted on the motor mount bar, which is a part of Mounting Frame. e. Two elongate vertical threaded rods mounted inside motor-mount, where one is attached to the gear motor's shaft. f. Two sprockets connected with chain, where one is attached to any vertical threaded rod and the other to the double shaft motor g. Additional elevating mechanism comprising two sprockets or pulleys each attached to Sliding Outer Frame, two chains or belts each connected to Mounting Frame at one end and Sliding Inner Frame at the other end. h. Two horizontal display-supporting bars mounted to the front panel of Sliding Outer Frame and adjustable in height. i. A mounting panel made of any kind of stiff material, to which the elevating apparatus is attached and which either replaces original furniture back or is attached to any side of the cabinet. 